San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Snell throws six innings of shutout ball; SF defeats KC 2-0 at Kaufman

San Francisco Giants Jerar Encarnacion slides home safely scoring on a Grant McCray triple in the top of the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium on Sun Sep 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell struck out nine Kansas City Royals hitters in six innings of work and the Giants swept the Royals in a three game series with a 2-0 shutout Sunday.

#2 With the loss the Royals moved to second place in the AL Wild Card and holds the tie breaker as they won the season series over the Detroit Tigers 7-6.

#3 Snell was on he allowed two hits and no Royals runner was able to pass first base. Snell is 5-0 in his last 14 starts with a 1.23 ERA.

#4 Snell credited his change ups for retiring Royals hitters 1-13 when he threw a first strike.

#5 The Giants opened up a three game series in Arizona on Monday night. The Giants will start RHP Hayden Birdsong (4-5, ERA 4.74) starting for the Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-3, 5.09) at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders fourth quarter scoring effort too late lose to Panthers 36-22 at Allegiant

The Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) is tackled by the Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (54)in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) for the most of Sunday’s game were getting trounced by the Carolina Panthers (1-2) up until early in the fourth quarter 33-7.

#2 The Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton pretty much put the game to bed early throwing for 319 yards, going 26-27 and throwing three touchdown passes.

#3 The Raiders defense just couldn’t shut down the Panthers as Carolina scored seven in the first quarter, 14 in the second quarter, six in the third quarter, and nine in the fourth quarter.

#4 The Raiders on offense came alive in the fourth quarter scoring 15 points on a 13 yard pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew who threw to Jakobi Meyers at 10:56 and quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw an eight yard pass to Tre Tucker with 56 seconds left in the game.

#5 The Raiders host the Cleveland Browns next Sun Sep 29 at Allegiant Stadium. The Browns lost their second game of the season to the New York Giants 21-15. The Browns are now 1-2. How do you see the Raiders chances against the Browns next Sunday with home field at Allegiant?

Rich Perez does the Raiders home and away podcasts after each Raiders game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants thrive in spoiler role with pressure off, as Snell strikes out nine over six strong innings, and Giants sweep Royals with 2-0 win

San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell pitches to the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the first inning at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sun Sep 22, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024

Kauffman Stadium 

Kansas City, Missouri  

San Francisco Giants 2 (77-79)

Kansas City Royals 0 (82-74)

Win: Blake Snell (5-3)

Loss: Seth Lugo (16-9)

Save: Ryan Walker (9)

Time: 2:08

Attendance: 24,189

By Stephen Ruderman

A two-run second inning plus another dominant start by Blake Snell led the Giants to a 2-0 win and a sweep of the Royals Sunday, their first road sweep and sweep of a team other than Rockies this year.

After winning the first two games, the Giants had a chance at their first road sweep of the year. They came close on Thursday in Baltimore, but a walk-off home run by Anthony Santander denied the Giants the sweep. 

The weather was much cooler Sunday at Kauffman Stadium, as it was gray and misty with a gametime temperature of 64 degrees. Or in this writer’s view, a beautiful day for baseball. The Giants would be up against Seth Lugo, and though he would throw a scoreless inning in the top of the first, the Giants were able to get to him in the second. 

Jerar Encarnacion lined a base-hit up the middle into center field with one out in the top of the second. Grant McCray then hammered a triple out into the gap in right-center, and the Giants once again struck first. 

Tyler Fitzgerald struck out swinging, and then Brett Wisely singled in McCray to make it 2-0. The Giants would get three hits this afternoon, and every single one of them came in the top of the second.

Blake Snell made the start for the Giants, and he was once again superb, as he gave up just two hits, and he walked one and struck out nine over six innings. In his 14 starts since coming off the injured list on July 9, Snell had been the best pitcher in Baseball, going 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA and 114 strikeouts.

After Snell was done, Sean Hjelle struck out the side in a one, two, three bottom of the seventh. 

The Royals had a rally going against Tyler Rogers in the bottom of the eighth, as they had runners at second and third with two outs for the white-hot Bobby Witt Jr. Bob Melvin decided to put Witt on to face the struggling longtime Royal, Salvidor Perez, and Perez popped out to end the inning.

Ryan Walker then came in for the bottom of the ninth in his first appearance since giving up the home run to Santander on Thursday. Walker hit MJ Melendez to start the inning, but he settled down and retired the side to complete the save.

Blake Snell got the win; Seth Lugo took the loss; and Ryan Walker got the save.

The Giants have won five of their last six, and they improve to 77-79. They have also made their mark on the American League Wild Card race, as they have gone 5-1 against the Orioles and Royals.  

After the game, Grant McCray said on Giants Postgame Live that after the Giants were eliminated, the pressure was off. McCray said the Giants were having fun, and that they have been chanting “Rally Baby” at Matt Chapman, who has gotten a spark from his newly-born daughter, Alexandra. 

Now the Giants will head to Arizona to take on the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks for three games, as they will get a chance to play spoiler in the National League Wild Card race. Hayden Birdsong (4-5, 4.74 ERA) will make the start for the Giants in the opener of the series Monday night. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (3-3, 5.09 ERA) will take the ball for Arizona. 

As for the weather, it will be hotter than you know what, but don’t worry, they’ve got the roof at Chase Field. First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will players union, Scott Boras sign off to play on artificial turf in Sacramento?

Sutter Health Field in Sacramento the future interim home of the Athletics for the next three seasons 2025-27

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, this is the last week at the Oakland Coliseum for the A’s as they embark for Sacramento after the regular season. It’s been a reunion of sorts with lots of reporters, employees, front office, former players coming to bid the fans and each other a farewell.

#2 Rickey Henderson came out on Saturday to watch his daughter throw out the first ball as the A’s played the New York Yankees. It was a huge treat for fans watching on the field that was named after Rickey.

#3 Some reporters believe the move to Sacramento is a done deal because MLB has approved the move and Sacramento Rivercats are renovating the ball park.

#4 There are those who believe there is that very small chance that the A’s deal in Sacramento will fall apart because of the artificial turf the players do not want to play on. The Players union sill has not signed off on it yet.

#5 On the other side of the coin A’s owner John Fisher, A’s team president David Kaval and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred look very much forward to getting things started and getting the A’s out of Oakland. They do realize that that last step of getting the union to sign off on Sacramento might not be as easy as they think.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: 49ers missing a good number of Pro Bowl players due to injuries; Raiders host struggling Panthers today; plus more news

San Francisco 49oers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) takes a leap against Minnesota Vikings Camryn Bynum (24) and linebacker Ivan Pace (0) on Sun Sep 15, 2024 at US Bank Stadium. Samuel is out with an injury and will miss Sun Sep 22, 2024 in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Rams. (AP News photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week and face the Los Angeles Rams today in the Southland. The 49ers have two injuries running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Tight end George Kittle is out with a hamstring injury and Nick Bosa is out for the Rams game as he hurt his rib during practice Thursday or Friday.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off an impressive win over the Baltimore Ravens 26-23 in Baltimore. The Raiders tied with the Ravens at 23-23 got a game winning field goal from kicker Daniel Carlson who booted a 38 yard field goal with 27 seconds left for a 26-23 win. The Raiders now face a struggling Carolina Panthers team at Allegiant Stadium today. The Panthers are 0-2 and the Raiders are 1-1. How much do you see home field advantage for the Raiders being a key today?

#3 Charlie these are not your 1959 Go Go Sox as the Chicago White Sox lost their 119th game of the season tying the 2003 Detroit Tigers who finished at 43-119. The Sox need one more loss to tie the all time worse losing record in a season held by the 1962 New York Mets. Can they do it?

#4 The Washington Nationals demoted All Star shortstop CJ Abrams after he stayed out all Friday morning at a Chicago casino. Nats manager Dave Martinez had to bring the bad news to Abrams that he was being demoted because of breaking team curfew. Abrams was the lead off hitter on Friday’s game and went 0-3 with a walk and one strike out. Martinez said he’s a good guy and he’ll work his way back.

#5 Here it is Charlie the final week of the A’s in Oakland and after next Thursday they would have played their last game ever in Oakland. Reality has set in for fans, players, media, A’s front office staff, and employees at the Oakland Coliseum.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

St. Louis City’s early goals hold up against Earthquakes in 2-1 win

St. Louis City forward Joao Klauss and San Jose Earthquakes defender Tanner Beason race for a loose ball during St. Louis City’s 2-1 win over San Jose at Pay Pal Park on Saturday SEP 21, 2024. (St. Louis City SC)

by Mark Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — St. Louis City scored two goals in the first 15 minutes of the match and held on to edge the San Jose Earthquakes in 2-1 victory on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four matches and still has not earned a point against St. Louis in four matches. St. Louis City has have won two out of its last three matches.

St. Louis City (6-11-13) drew first blood in the fourth minute. Marcel Hartel sent a cross from along the right sideline into the middle of the box. Jannes Horn quickly touched it over to an unmarked Cedric Teuchert who buried a right footed shot into an open net for his fourth goal of the season.

Thanks to a controversial call, the visiting team doubled its lead in the 13th minute. Joao Klauss chipped a ball near the box where Rodrigues took down Hartel while trying to clear the ball. After VAR review the play was ruled a penalty. Hartel finished off the penalty when he hesitated before kicking the ball to the left side of the net past ‘Quakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough for his second goal of the season.

“If it’s that close and it wasn’t called (a penalty) in live play, and it was not super clear, I don’t know why you’re giving a penalty. I’m surprised they (VAR) even called (down to the referee) ‘hey there’s a potential penalty.’ Again it didn’t even look like (the foul) was in the box. Even on replays, so why are you giving one,” ‘Quakes interim head coach Ian Russell said.

San Jose (5-22-3) had its first quality scoring chance in the 27th minute. Niko Tsakiris started a counterattack inside the St. Louis zone with an interception. Tsakiris found Cristian Espinoza along the right wing. Espinoza crossed the ball into the middle where a trailing Hernan Lopez’s one-timer was stoned away by St. Louis City goalkeeper Roman Buerki.

Then in the 32nd minute, another turnover by St. Louis led Lopez to spring Jeremy Ebobisse on a partial breakaway. Ebobisse’s right-footed shot was knocked up and over the net by Buerki. The resulting corner kick bounced over to Rodrigues, but his turnaround attempt didn’t muster much power and was easily controlled by Buerki.

San Jose finally broke through to cut the lead in half in the 40th minute. Espinoza found Ebobisse along the right slot and Ebobisse sent a touch pass out to Carlos Akapo to the right side of the box. Akapo centered the ball back to Ebobisse who beat Buerki with a left footed shot to the lower right corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

“The point of the game is to get three points,” said Ebobisse regarding the frustration of the outcome. “To be dominant or have more opportunities and not convert, it’s ok if it happens once or twice a year. If it’s happening several times, and then the games that you are out played you’re not able to steal points, you end up in the situation that we’re in right now.”

The Earthquakes had a chance for the equalizer in the 69th minute when Tanner Beason sent a long ball from inside his own zone that took a favorable bounce out to a Jack Skahan. Josh Yaro bodied Skahan inside the box resulting in Skahan’s shot just wide of the net.

Espinioza gave the Quakes their best chance to even the match in the 76th minute when he received the ball from San Jose captain Jackson Yueill, but his shot between two St. Louis City defenders from eight yards out was gobbled up by Buerki.

Buerki stopped four of the five shots he faced to earn the victory. Yarbrough didn’t make a save during the match with both shots on target were goals in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Each team finished the match with four corner kick each.

San Jose is 0-4 against St. Louis City in all the time series.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels north of the border to take on Montreal on Saturday 9/28 at 4:30pm at Stade Saputo.

Judge blasts 425 ft homer, Vlope and Stanton homer as Yanks go to work on A’s 10-0 at Coliseum

New York Yankee Aaron Judge (left) is congratulated by Giancarlo Stanton (27) after hitting a top of the seventh home run against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Sep 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

By William Espy

The Oakland A’s hosted the New York Yankees for the second game of their three-game series on Saturday night. It’s going to be the last time that the Bronx Bombers play a series at the historic Coliseum, but it got off to a rough start for the A’s as they lost Friday’s game 4-2 in front of a crowd of 33,198.

Saturday night didn’t fare much better for them either, as they lost in dominant fashion as the Yankees drove in ten runs in a statement victory over the home team.

Things got off to an immediately rough for the A’s, as two singles to start the night by Gleber Torres and Juan Soto put starting pitcher JP Sears in a tough spot right out of the gate. Aaron Judge drew a walk on the next at-bat, loading the bases before the A’s had recorded a single out.

Giancarlo Stanton grounded into a double play, but Torres scored and Soto advanced to third. Jasson Dominguez singled to left field, driving in Soto before he stole second base. The next batter Jon Berti struck out, stopping the bleeding for the time being.

In the bottom of the first, the A’s got a couple of base runners but were unable to do much with it. Anthony Volpe hit a solo home run to start the second inning, extending the Yankees’ lead to 3-0 but that would be all of the offense the visitors could get going in the inning.

The bottom of the second was almost identical to the first for the A’s. The top of the third saw even more dominance from the Yankees’ offense, as singles by Soto and Judge set Stanton up to hit a three-run blast, doubling the Yankees’ lead and making it 6-0. After that, the Yankees would get a couple of more hits but they’d be stranded in scoring position.

Jacob Wilson got a lead-off single in the bottom of the third, advancing to third over the course of the inning but Oakland would be unable to capitalize as the next three batters would all be retired. Sears had his best inning of the night in the top of the fourth when New York had three batters up, and three down, but the offense still wasn’t helping them get back in the game in the bottom of the inning. Jon Berti would get the only hit for either side in the fifth inning with a single, otherwise it was fairly uneventful.

Brandon Bielak took over on the mound for Oakland to start the top of the sixth inning. He’d give up a single to Torres, but otherwise, the Yankees wouldn’t generate any offense. Shea Langliers doubled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but JJ Bleday flew out to end the inning and stranded Langliers in scoring position.

Oakland wouldn’t be as lucky in the top of the seventh though, as lead-off hitter Judge hit his 54th home run of the year to make it 7-0 in favor of the visitors. The next two batters, Stanton and Dominguez would both walk.

Stanton would eventually score on a fielder’s choice though. Eventually, Bielak would load the bases after Oswaldo Cabrera and Jose Trevino drew walks and then the pitcher’s night came to an end. Hogan Harris came into the game and immediately surrendered a single to Torres, who scored two runners, making it 10-0.

The A’s would go three-up, three- down in the bottom of the inning. At this point, both teams started making some defensive substitutions as it was clear that the Yankees were going to take the game.

Neither team would be able to produce any offense for the remainder of the game, and the Yankees would walk away with a 10-0 victory in a game where they absolutely demolished their opposition. The final game between the Yankees and A’s at Oakland Coliseum will take place on Sunday, as the A’s look to find a way to get a win in the series and avoid a sweep.

Wade and Chapman homer, and Landen Roupp gets first big league win in Giants’ 9-0 rout of Royals; KC extends losing streak to six

San Francisco Giant Michael Conforto is caught in a run down with Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin throwing to third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) after Conforto tried to score on a fielders choice hit by Grant McCray in the top of the sixth inning at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City (AP News photo)

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024

Kauffman Stadium

Kansas City, Missouri

San Francisco Giants 9 (76-79)

Kansas City Royals 0 (82-73)

Win: Landen Roupp (1-1)

Loss: Brady Singer (9-12)

Time: 2:14

Attendance: 24,189

By Stephen Ruderman

LaMonte Wade and Matt Chapman both hit two home runs, as the Giants’ offense exploded in a 9-0 win over the Royals on a hauntingly-beautiful late Saturday afternoon in Kansas City.

After an exciting and tense 2-1 win last night, the Giants looked to keep playing spoiler against the struggling Royals. With severe weather moving into Kansas City, this game was moved up two hours. It was a warm and humid afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. It was partly cloudy, and the sun was out at the start of the game.

Royals’ starter Brady Singer retired the first two men he faced in the top of the first inning. LaMonte Wade then came up, and he hit a home run down the right field line to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead.

The Giants turned to Landen Roupp, who took the ball for his third big league start. Roupp escaped a one-out double by Bobby Witt Jr. in the bottom of the first, and he escaped another jam in the bottom of the second.

Singer pitched a scoreless top of the second and a one, two, three top of the third. Roupp then pitched another scoreless inning in the bottom of the third.

As the game reached the middle innings, it became overcast for the most part at Kauffman Stadium with a beautiful touch of blue skies off in the distance.

On the first pitch from Singer in the top of the fourth, Wade hit a towering drive down the right field line that went out for his second home run of the day. Matt Chapman, who returned to the team today after the birth of his daughter, Alexandra, came up to the plate.

Chapman got a hold of one, and hit a fly ball deep to center that got out. Wade and Chapman went back-to-back, and it was now 4-0 Giants.

Roupp survived a leadoff ground-rule double by MJ Melendez in the bottom of the fourth, and he pitched another scoreless inning in the bottom of the fifth. Roupp was done after five.

Roupp allowed a base-runner in every inning he pitched, and the Royals had a runner in scoring position in each of the first four innings, but he kept his focus in every single inning to pitch five scoreless. Roupp gave up three hits, and he walked three and struck out three.

Singer pitched a scoreless top of the fifth and retired Wade to start the top of the sixth. Chapman then came up and golfed out a slider at the knees to the Giants’ bullpen in left for his second home run of the game.

It was Chapman’s 26th home run of the year, and he is now four home runs away from becoming the first Giant to hit 30 in a season since Barry Bonds hit 45 all the way back in 2004. He will have seven games left to do it, so while it may be a tall order, it is certainly doable.

Michael Conforto immediately followed up Chapman’s second home run with a double to right, and Tyler Fitzgerald singled him over to third. That ended the day for Singer, and the Royals Manager Matt Quatraro brought in Carlos Hernandez.

Grant McCray reached on a weird fielder’s choice that saw him get to second, while Conforto was out at the plate. Donovan Walton was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Curt Casali singled to left to knock in a pair and make it 6-0. Those would be the only two runs for the Giants to score on something other than a home run.

Mike Yastrzemski then hit a three-run home run to right to make it 9-0. It was the fifth home run of the day for the Giants, and the third for Yastrzemski in the first five games of this road trip.

It was now a blowout, and as you would expect, there would be no drama the rest of the game. Spencer Bivens pitched a pair of scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh, and Tristan Beck threw a pair of one, two, three innings in the eighth and ninth.

Landen Roupp got his first major league win, and this was the second game in a row in which a Giants’ rookie would get their first major league win after Mason Black got his first Thursday night. Brady Singer took the loss.

The Giants have now won four of their last five, as they improve to 76-79. They can now get that first road sweep of the season with a win Sunday. Blake Snell (4-3, 3.31 ERA) will make the start for the Giants, and he will be opposed by the veteran right-hander, Seth Lugo (16-8, 3.08 ERA).

The only question is with the wild weather in Kansas City expected to persist into , whether Sunday or not the game will be played. If it starts on time, first pitch will be at 1:10 at Kauffman Stadium, and 11:10 a.m. back home in San Francisco.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Why MLB Players have not signed off for Sacramento 2025 season yet; Coliseum memories

Chicago Cubs runner Miles Mastrobuoni (left) is forced at second base by Oakland A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson at Wrigley Field on Thu Sep 19, 2024. The A’s play their last homestand between Sep 20-26 before moving to Sacramento at the end of the regular season. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, the countdown to closing up the Oakland Coliseum is just five games away each time you come to the park it’s really hard to believe that this ball club you covered for decades will no longer be playing in Oakland anymore after Thursday afternoon?

#2 When you talk about the A’s move to Sacramento it’s almost hard to fathom. I wanted to ask you about the MLB Players Association they have not signed off on playing in Sacramento yet. They have said that playing on artificial turf in 100 degree heat in Sacramento is not something that’s going to work for the health and safety of the players. Could this end up being a hang up that could drag maybe into December?

#3 When you look back on the history of the Coliseum it opened in 1968 with Governor Ronald Reagan throwing out the first ball and the A’s had joined the San Francisco Giants as the second team in the Bay Area ever since that time in good and bad times it was always exciting for baseball fans to know there were two Bay Area teams to see each and every season.

#4 This last Oakland A’s team showed a lot of grit this season and had players who have a great future in Major League Baseball with hitters like Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, and Seth Brown. These guys competed and gave some of the best teams in baseball fits.

#5 Amaury you’ve been calling A’s games out of the Coliseum since the 1970s you’ve had numerous broadcast partners and working with some of the best Spanish radio broadcast talent in baseball had to really give you something to really look back on over the years.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bedard says he’s ready for his sophomore year with Blackhawks; Utah’s Guenther thrilled about 8 yr deal; plus more news

Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard (88) skates against the New Jersey Devils on Jan 5, 2024 in Newark NJ. Bedard says he’s excited about his second year and looking forward to the 2024-25 season (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard says he more than ready for this upcoming season. Bedard says he’s rested, relaxed and ready to go. Bedard says he’s ready coming in, he said the excitement was there last season and he’s more relaxed this season.

#2 Dylan Guenther was signed to an eight year deal with the Utah Hockey Team. Financial teams were not disclosed. Guenther a 21 year forward is entering his third season of his three year entry level deal. Guenther said this was a happy day for he and his family. Guenther who played with the Arizona Coyotes last season had 17 goals, 18 assists and 35 points.

#3 It didn’t take long for the Chicago Blackhawks number two draft pick defenseman Artyom Levshunov is slated to be out with a foot injury for the next four weeks. That could change sooner than expected it was reported that Levshunov could be skating soon. Bedard said it was bad that the season started like this for him. The Hawks are anxious to get a look at Levshunov.

#4 New York Rangers Igor Shesterkin is starting the season in his fourth season. Shesterkin says he has one more year on his contract and he doesn’t care about that he’s hoping to work out a four year contract with the Rangers. Shesterkin said that he hopes to stay in New York but could become a free agent after this season.

#5 The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission announced that they are close to completing a deal in principal with a ten acre parcel in the LeBraton Flats District in downtown Ottawa. The Senators had been playing 15 miles outside of downtown and will relocate downtown. The new arena would be just 1.24 miles from the Canadian Parliament building. Len location, location, location finally for the Senators who have been in Ottawa since 1997.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com